Losing one's head

· Could there be more than meets the eye to the departure of headteacher Trevor Averre-Beeson from Islington Green school? Staff liked him and expected him to lead the academy that is to replace the school. He went almost immediately after announcing the news, at half-term (normally a head at least serves out the term), and will not be replaced - the school must muddle along with an acting head until it makes way for the academy. So what's going on? Averre-Beeson was rumoured to be losing his enthusiasm for the academy project. Academies are supposed to replace failing schools, not successful ones, like IG had become. His move to the National College of School Leadership may not have been entirely his own idea. In Islington these days, they say "Downing Street" in a meaningful way ...

· Roger Kline sends us the letter that formally opens his bid to become general secretary of the new University and College Union. He has promised a campaign about issues, not personalities. So when his letter promises "imaginative, effective campaigning - not spin, gimmicks or empty slogans" and "a leader who can be trusted to work in a collegial, open and accountable manner, respecting democratic processes", it surely cannot be a sideswipe at his key rival, Sally Hunt?

· St Luke's, the Sidcup sixth-form college known to police the doors so 18-year-olds can't get out of mass, may be short of friends here. But US Christian websites have sprung to its support. "So a third of the students don't like hearing the fullness of faith and truth?" asks one. "This is a Catholic college that's actually worthy of the name, though with the help of the media that may not last very long." Another wrote: "These guys [the students who protested] deserve to get excommunicated. There [sic] going to end up in hell anyways ... They don't even want to honor the holy mother of God!!!!!" Just a few fruitcakes? Well, include among them the priest who, until recently, was chair of governors at St Luke's, Father Tim Finigan: he's contributed to the website, as has an RE teacher at the school. For the full glory, go to www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/006815.php

· Just as the National Union of Students was preparing Sunday's demo to claim that fees are already deterring people from university, Alamo Rent a Car decided to announce that student car ownership was on the increase. The 48% figure is based on responses from only 100 or so members, but its press release - "Accelerating motoring costs set to hit students hard" - was not quite on-message. A one-word deletion might have made a placard-worthy slogan, though.